Muhammad Worship

The Quran informs us the following fact.

[12:106] The majority of those who believe in GOD do not do so without committing idol worship.

وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُم بِٱللَّهِ إِلَّا وَهُم مُّشْرِكُونَ

On May 12th, 2023, Shaykh Hasan Ali made the following tweet where he posted a single verse from the Holy Quran:

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was instructed to say: ❝Say, “I am but a human being like you; it is revealed to me that your god is only One God. So, turn straight towards Him, and seek forgiveness from Him, and woe to the Mushriks (those who ascribe partners to Allah)❞ (Quran 41:6)

One would think the Muslim umma would be happy to have the Shaykh remind them of the beautiful verse from the Quran; instead, this tweet caused an uproar among many Muslims who viciously attacked him and the verse.

Many respondents denied that the prophet was a human being like us, insinuating that the prophet was not like us and thus that the verse of the Quran was wrong.

One account called upon 3:7 to claim that verse 41:6 was meant to be allegorical and not to be taken literally.

Peopel questioned the Shaykh’s intentions for bringing to their attention such a verse.

One account called the Shaykh a moron after telling him to “Die and rot in jealousy,” while another called him ignorant for simply reminding people of a verse.

Many people cited Hadith to claim that the verse of the Quran was false and that Muhammad was not like the people. A couple favorite they seemed to gravitate towards was the following:

Narrated `Abdullah: The Prophet (ﷺ) fasted for days continuously; the people also did the same but it was difficult for them. So, the Prophet (ﷺ) forbade them (to fast continuously for more than one day). They slid, “But you fast without break (no food was taken in the evening or in the morning).” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “I am not like you, for I am provided with food and drink (by Allah).

حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا جُوَيْرِيَةُ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَاصَلَ فَوَاصَلَ النَّاسُ فَشَقَّ عَلَيْهِمْ، فَنَهَاهُمْ‏.‏ قَالُوا إِنَّكَ تُوَاصِلُ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏ “‏ لَسْتُ كَهَيْئَتِكُمْ، إِنِّي أَظَلُّ أُطْعَمُ وَأُسْقَى ‏”‏‏.‏

Sahih al-Bukhari 1922 https://sunnah.com/bukhari:1922

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Do you find me seeing towards the Qibla only? By Allah, your bowing and your prostrating are not hidden from my view. Verily I see you behind my back.

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ أَنَسٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ هَلْ تَرَوْنَ قِبْلَتِي هَا هُنَا فَوَاللَّهِ مَا يَخْفَى عَلَىَّ رُكُوعُكُمْ وَلاَ سُجُودُكُمْ إِنِّي لأَرَاكُمْ وَرَاءَ ظَهْرِي ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Sahih Muslim 424 https://sunnah.com/muslim:424

Another series of responses drew upon Hadith references to the superpowers of the spittle of the prophet or that his sweat smelled of musk.

Then there were a number of people calling Muhammad God’s best creation. This implies that he is better than all the other prophets and messengers, all the angels, and all the things we do not even know of. Nowhere in the Quran is such a statement made, and it even goes against the Hadith literature as well.

NO DISTINCTION AMONG GOD’S MESSENGERS

The Quran is very clear that we are not to make distinctions among God’s messengers, by elevating some over others. God can make these distinctions, but us as believers are commanded not to.

[2:136] Say, “We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and all the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters.”

قُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَٱلْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ ٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ

[2:285] The messenger has believed in what was sent down to him from his Lord, and so did the believers. They believe in GOD, His angels, His scripture, and His messengers: “We make no distinction among any of His messengers.” They say, “We hear, and we obey. Forgive us, our Lord. To You is the ultimate destiny.”

ءَامَنَ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ كُلٌّ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِۦ وَقَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ

[3:84] Say, “We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs, and in what was given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters.”

قُلْ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَٱلْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ

Some individuals take the following example in the next set of verses (4:150-152) to limit making a distinction between God’s messengers to mean only choosing to accept some and reject others, but this is only one form of making a distinction. For example, imagine if you are in a class and your teacher says, “Cheating is not allowed during the test, and you are not allowed to look at your neighbor’s paper.” Obviously, someone who hears this statement would not assume that other forms of cheating are permissible. Similarly, these verses are only providing one example of making a distinction between God’s messengers by believing in some and rejecting others.

[4:150] Those who disbelieve in GOD and His messengers, and seek to make distinction among GOD and His messengers, and say, “We believe in some and reject some,” and wish to follow a path in between;

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكْفُرُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يُفَرِّقُوا۟ بَيْنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَيَقُولُونَ نُؤْمِنُ بِبَعْضٍ وَنَكْفُرُ بِبَعْضٍ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَّخِذُوا۟ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا

[4:151] these are the real disbelievers. We have prepared for the disbelievers a shameful retribution.

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ حَقًّا وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابًا مُّهِينًا

[4:152] As for those who believe in GOD and His messengers, and make no distinction among them, He will grant them their recompense. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَلَمْ يُفَرِّقُوا۟ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ سَوْفَ يُؤْتِيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

The Quran also confirms that Muhammad was no different than the messengers who came before him.

[3:144] Muhammad was no more than a messenger like the messengers before him. Should he die or get killed, would you turn back on your heels? Anyone who turns back on his heels, does not hurt GOD in the least. GOD rewards those who are appreciative.

وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ أَفَإِي۟ن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ ٱنقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَـٰبِكُمْ وَمَن يَنقَلِبْ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَن يَضُرَّ ٱللَّهَ شَيْـًٔا وَسَيَجْزِى ٱللَّهُ ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ

HADITH AND DISTINCTION

Even the Hadith confirm the concept of not elevating the prophet’s role over other messengers of the past.

Narrated Abu Huraira: Once while a Jew was selling something, he was offered a price that he was not pleased with. So, he said, “No, by Him Who gave Moses superiority over all human beings!” Hearing him, an Ansari man got up and slapped him on the face and said, “You say: By Him Who Gave Moses superiority over all human beings although the Prophet (Muhammad) is present amongst us!” The Jew went to the Prophet and said, “O Abu-l-Qasim! I am under the assurance and contract of security, so what right does so-and-so have to slap me?” The Prophet (ﷺ) asked the other, “Why have you slapped”. He told him the whole story. The Prophet (ﷺ) became angry, till anger appeared on his face, and said, “Don’t give superiority to any prophet amongst Allah’s Prophets, for when the trumpet will be blown, everyone on the earth and in the heavens will become unconscious except those whom Allah will exempt. The trumpet will be blown for the second time, and I will be the first to be resurrected to see Moses holding Allah’s Throne. I will not know whether the unconsciousness which Moses received on the Day of Tur has been sufficient for him, or has he got up before me. And I do not say that there is anybody who is better than Yunus bin Matta (Jonah).”

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، عَنِ اللَّيْثِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ بْنِ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْفَضْلِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ بَيْنَمَا يَهُودِيٌّ يَعْرِضُ سِلْعَتَهُ أُعْطِيَ بِهَا شَيْئًا كَرِهَهُ‏.‏ فَقَالَ لاَ وَالَّذِي اصْطَفَى مُوسَى عَلَى الْبَشَرِ، فَسَمِعَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فَقَامَ، فَلَطَمَ وَجْهَهُ، وَقَالَ تَقُولُ وَالَّذِي اصْطَفَى مُوسَى عَلَى الْبَشَرِ، وَالنَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِنَا فَذَهَبَ إِلَيْهِ، فَقَالَ أَبَا الْقَاسِمِ، إِنَّ لِي ذِمَّةً وَعَهْدًا، فَمَا بَالُ فُلاَنٍ لَطَمَ وَجْهِي‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏”‏ لِمَ لَطَمْتَ وَجْهَهُ ‏”‏‏.‏ فَذَكَرَهُ، فَغَضِبَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى رُئِيَ فِي وَجْهِهِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏”‏ لاَ تُفَضِّلُوا بَيْنَ أَنْبِيَاءِ اللَّهِ، فَإِنَّهُ يُنْفَخُ فِي الصُّورِ، فَيَصْعَقُ مَنْ فِي السَّمَوَاتِ وَمَنْ فِي الأَرْضِ، إِلاَّ مَنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ، ثُمَّ يُنْفَخُ فِيهِ أُخْرَى، فَأَكُونُ أَوَّلَ مَنْ بُعِثَ فَإِذَا مُوسَى آخِذٌ بِالْعَرْشِ، فَلاَ أَدْرِي أَحُوسِبَ بِصَعْقَتِهِ يَوْمَ الطُّورِ أَمْ بُعِثَ قَبْلِي -‏ وَلَا أَقُولُ إِنَّ أَحَدًا أَفْضَلُ مِنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ مَتَّى“‏‏.‏

Sahih al-Bukhari 3414, 3415 https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3414

Narrated Abu Sa`id: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Do not prefer one prophet over another.”

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ يَحْيَى، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ لاَ تُخَيِّرُوا بَيْنَ الأَنْبِيَاءِ ‏”‏‏.‏

Sahih al-Bukhari 6916 https://sunnah.com/bukhari:6916

MUHAMMAD WAS JUST A HUMAN BEING.

The Quran confirms that Muhammad was a human being just like the rest of us. Contrary to wha thte Hadith tell us, the Quran confirms that he ate, drank, slept, and even made mistakes. He was apprehensive to marry the divorced wife of his adopted son (33:37). He gave his attention to the rich person instead of the blind man (80:1-10). He prohibited something God did not prohibit (66:1). He excused the people from battle before confirming their truthfulness (9:43).

[41:6] Say, “I am no more than a human being like you, who has been inspired that your god is one god. You shall be devoted to Him, and ask His forgiveness. Woe to the idol worshipers.

قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ فَٱسْتَقِيمُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ وَٱسْتَغْفِرُوهُ وَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُشْرِكِينَ

[7:188] Say, “I have no power to benefit myself, or harm myself. Only what GOD wills happens to me. If I knew the future, I would have increased my wealth, and no harm would have afflicted me. I am no more than a warner, and a bearer of good news for those who believe.”

قُل لَّآ أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِى نَفْعًا وَلَا ضَرًّا إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَوْ كُنتُ أَعْلَمُ ٱلْغَيْبَ لَٱسْتَكْثَرْتُ مِنَ ٱلْخَيْرِ وَمَا مَسَّنِىَ ٱلسُّوٓءُ إِنْ أَنَا۠ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

[18:110] Say, “I am no more than a human like you, being inspired that your god is one god. Those who hope to meet their Lord shall work righteousness, and never worship any other god beside his Lord.”

قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَـٰلِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَحَدًۢا

PROPHETS ADVOCATED DEVOTION TO GOD ALONE

Every prophet preached the absolute devotion to God alone. To think that a messenger came to make themselves the focus of the religion would go counter to their core function.

[3:79] Never would a human being whom GOD blessed with the scripture and prophethood say to the people, “Idolize me beside GOD.” Instead, (he would say), “Devote yourselves absolutely to your Lord alone,” according to the scripture you preach and the teachings you learn.

مَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُؤْتِيَهُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحُكْمَ وَٱلنُّبُوَّةَ ثُمَّ يَقُولَ لِلنَّاسِ كُونُوا۟ عِبَادًا لِّى مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَـٰكِن كُونُوا۟ رَبَّـٰنِيِّـۧنَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تُعَلِّمُونَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَبِمَا كُنتُمْ تَدْرُسُونَ

ELEVATING THE PROPHET LEADS TO IDOL WORSHIP

When believers attempt to elevate the status of the prophet beyond what God has designated they think they are giving honor to the prophet, but what they are actually doing is defying God’s words and setting up a partner with God. This is what happend with the followers of Jesus. First they said that he was divine, then they said he was the son of God, then they said he and God were one.

[19:90] The heavens are about to shatter, the earth is about to tear asunder, and the mountains are about to crumble.

تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْهُ وَتَنشَقُّ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَتَخِرُّ ٱلْجِبَالُ هَدًّا

[19:91] Because they claim that the Most Gracious has begotten a son.

أَن دَعَوْا۟ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ وَلَدًا

[5:17] Pagans indeed are those who say that GOD is the Messiah, the son of Mary. Say, “Who could oppose GOD if He willed to annihilate the Messiah, son of Mary, and his mother, and everyone on earth?” To GOD belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them. He creates whatever He wills. GOD is Omnipotent.

لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْمَسِيحُ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ قُلْ فَمَن يَمْلِكُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا إِنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُهْلِكَ ٱلْمَسِيحَ ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَأُمَّهُۥ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

https://twitter.com/M_U_Mulla/status/1658875099146059776?s=20

[39:3] Absolutely, the religion shall be devoted to GOD alone. Those who set up idols beside Him say, “We idolize them only to bring us closer to GOD; for they are in a better position!” GOD will judge them regarding their disputes. GOD does not guide such liars, disbelievers.

أَلَا لِلَّهِ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْخَالِصُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ زُلْفَىٰٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ فِى مَا هُمْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى مَنْ هُوَ كَـٰذِبٌ كَفَّارٌ

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhong_Mosque

TRUE BELIEVERS SHOULD BE CONTENT WITH GOD ALONE

[39:45] When GOD ALONE is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion. But when others are mentioned beside Him, they become satisfied.

وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ ٱشْمَأَزَّتْ قُلُوبُ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ

[72:18] The places of worship belong to GOD; do not call on anyone else beside GOD.

وَأَنَّ ٱلْمَسَـٰجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوا۟ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ أَحَدًا

[72:19] When GOD’s servant advocated Him alone, almost all of them banded together to oppose him.

وَأَنَّهُۥ لَمَّا قَامَ عَبْدُ ٱللَّهِ يَدْعُوهُ كَادُوا۟ يَكُونُونَ عَلَيْهِ لِبَدًا